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DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme is a fully funded master's scholarship in public policy and good governance — designed for African future leaders entering political, economic and social transformation roles in their home country.

Provider
DAAD
Host country
Germany
Deadline
Expected July 31, 2027 (annual cycle)

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply
Graduates from developing countries (bachelor or equivalent) with a well-qualified first university degree as a rule in the fields of social and political sciences, law, economics, public policy and administration, willing to actively contribute to the social, political and economic development of their home countries/regions, and who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment).
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
Masters
Deadline
Expected July 31, 2027 (annual cycle)

Key eligibility criteria

  • Graduates from developing countries (bachelor or equivalent) with a well-qualified first university degree as a rule in the fields of social and political sciences, law, economics, public policy and administration, willing to actively contribute to the social, political and economic development of their home countries/regions, and who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment).

Recorded funding information

  • Fully Funded

About the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance (2026)

The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Programme (Public Policy and Good Governance, PPGG) is a fully funded German master's scholarship targeted at African future leaders in public policy, public administration, governance, development studies and economic policy. It is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). ## Why this scholarship matters for African applicants African applicants from low- and middle-income countries are the priority cohort. Helmut-Schmidt alumni include senior advisors in Ministries of Finance, central banks, anti-corruption agencies and policy think tanks across West, East and Southern Africa. ## What the award covers Full tuition at the partner German university, monthly stipend of approximately €992, travel allowance, health and accident insurance, study and research allowance, and a tuition fee subsidy where applicable. A two-month preparatory German language course is included before the master's begins. ## How the selection process works Apply directly through DAAD's Helmut-Schmidt portal (not through the German embassy). You select one of about a dozen accredited master's programmes (e.g. MPP at Erfurt, MA Development Studies at Bochum, MA Public Policy and Human Development at Maastricht-United Nations University). DAAD ranks applicants based on academic record, leadership track record and the development impact plan. ## Application tips that move the needle Choose your three programme preferences strategically — there are clear differences between policy-focused (Hertie School style) and development-focused (Bochum, Magdeburg) programmes. Lead the motivation letter with a concrete governance challenge in your country and explain why the specific German curriculum will help you solve it. ## Deadlines and intake windows Applications typically open in May and close at the end of July for the following September intake. Confirm the year's exact date on the DAAD scholarship database. ## Useful internal reading - Browse open scholarships: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/scholarships - How to write a winning scholarship essay: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/how-to-write-winning-scholarship-essay - Scholarship interview questions for African students: https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/blog/scholarship-interview-questions-african-students Always confirm the live intake on the sponsor's official site before you build a timeline around it.

Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

  • Fully Funded

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • Graduates from developing countries (bachelor or equivalent) with a well-qualified first university degree as a rule in the fields of social and political sciences, law, economics, public policy and administration, willing to actively contribute to the social, political and economic development of their home countries/regions, and who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment).

DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

    How to apply for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance 2026

    Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

    1. 1
      Check the provider's process

      Consult https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?status=&origin=&subjectGrps=&daad=&q=public%20policy&page=1&detail=50026397 to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.

    2. 2
      Check eligibility and any requested materials

      Listed eligibility: Graduates from developing countries (bachelor or equivalent) with a well-qualified first university degree as a rule in the fields of social and political sciences, law, economics, public policy and administration, willing to actively contribute to the social, political and economic development of their home countries/regions, and who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment).. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.

    3. 3
      Check dates and next steps

      Listed deadline information: Expected July 31, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

    DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance deadline & application timeline

    Provider deadline information: Expected July 31, 2027 (annual cycle). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

    1. Planning suggestion: 12 months out

      Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.

    2. Planning suggestion: 6 months out

      If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.

    3. Planning suggestion: 3 months out

      If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.

    4. Planning suggestion: 1 month out

      If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.

    5. Provider deadline
      Expected July 31, 2027 (annual cycle)

      Provider deadline information: Expected July 31, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

    Ready to apply?

    Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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    Frequently asked questions

    Who can apply for the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance?+

    Graduates from developing countries (bachelor or equivalent) with a well-qualified first university degree as a rule in the fields of social and political sciences, law, economics, public policy and administration, willing to actively contribute to the social, political and economic development of their home countries/regions, and who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment).

    What funding does the DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Masters Scholarships for Public Policy and Good Governance offer?+

    Listed funding: Fully Funded. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

    When is the application deadline?+

    Provider deadline information: Expected July 31, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

    What documents do I need to apply?+

    No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

    How do I check the application process?+

    Consult https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/?status=&origin=&subjectGrps=&daad=&q=public%20policy&page=1&detail=50026397 to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: Graduates from developing countries (bachelor or equivalent) with a well-qualified first university degree as a rule in the fields of social and political sciences, law, economics, public policy and administration, willing to actively contribute to the social, political and economic development of their home countries/regions, and who have already gained practical experience relevant for the programme (professional experience, internships, political/social commitment).. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: Expected July 31, 2027 (annual cycle). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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